The Jury

“Born in Tokyo, Japan, I was accepted to The Juilliard School Pre-College Division as an honorary scholarship student at the age of ten. I have since graduated from the Royal College of Music, with an MMus (distinction) and Artist Diploma, and regularly performs internationally as recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician.

I have been broadcasting on BBC Radio 3, ITV, Channel 4, Dutch, Polish, Romanian and French television and radio. I have released a solo CD, and also a DVD from Sound Techniques in conversation with BBC presenter Andrew Green.

I am a regular faculty member of Piano Week (www.pianoweek.com), and was on the jury of the Sussex International Piano Competition consecutively four times since its inauguration in 2010 (including the recent 2018 edition) alongside such distinguished pianists as Artur Pizarro (Leeds 1st prize 1990), Vanessa Latarche (RCM Head of Keyboard) and Idil Biret.

Other competitions I adjudicated include the Open Piano Competition (2012), the London Youth Piano Competition (2019), Music and Stars Awards (2020), the Artepiano E-Competition (2020), and will be on the jury of the International Competition of Music and Arts “Slavic Meetings” in 2021.

The professors who influenced me the most were, Mikako Abe (professor at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo), who taught me all the basics regarding technique and interpretation (the lessons went on for five hours sometimes!), Jan Marisse Huizing (former professor at the Amsterdam Conservatory), who introduced me to a myriad of historical recordings and Dominique Merlet, who made me whole as an artist.

In my teachings, I always look for the personality in the students. We work on technique and discuss interpretation to help bring this out.

My favourite artists are Dinu Lipatti, Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Richard Goode, and many, many others..There are so many younger pianists that I admire as well, like Seong-Jin Cho and Daniil Trifonov.

My 3 deserted-island CDs are: Raoul Koczalski’s Chopin, Dinu Lipatti’s Besancon recital and Murray Perahia’s Chopin.”

Koji Yuan is a Guitarist, Artist, Musician, and Entrepreneur who has won many awards and competitions. He started playing the classical guitar as a teenager. He studied at the Ruth Asawa SF SOTA with Scott Cmiel and Mattew Linder along with the SFCM with David Tanenbaum and Larry Ferrara. The awards he has earned include the National Royal Conservatory of Music Level 5 Guitar Gold Medal, the Level 6 Guitar Certificate for First Class Honors with Distinction, First Class Honors with Distinction for the Basic and Intermediate Rudiments Tests, the Ruth Asawa SF SOTA (2015-2016) concerto competition, and the SFCM 2016 Vincent Constantino Scholarship.

“The professors who most influenced me include David Tanenbaum, Nikolaus Hohmann, and Larry Ferrara. They all helped me develop a higher purpose with music and the arts to discover myself and help the rest of the world. I remember learning about the connection of human history to music and what it reflects about human life. I believe they have shown me that art as a whole reflects the deeper meaning behind the human condition.

My philosophy of teaching is to help meet students where they are at and take it from there. I believe structured, focused and systematic instruction can help students in the long term for the path of becoming a musician and artist. I believe teaching students how to practice slowly, with awareness and finding a balanced approach between working on improving the various skills of technique, music theory, musicianship, guitar theory, sight reading and individual music pieces.

The most important achievements in my career so far as an emerging Artist include winning a Royal Conservatory of Music Level 5 National Gold Medal, getting first class honors with distinction awards in the Royal Conservatory of Music Tests and getting in the SFCM Guitar Department as a Bachelor of Music in Guitar.

My favourite performers are the guitarists David Russell, John Williams, Julian Bream, The Romeros Guitar Quartet, and Scott Tennant.

The music project I would choose to sustain is the Music for Peace International Charitable Project. This is because it is a project with the intention to create a more peaceful world with music as a whole. This project aligns with my long term goals as a musician and artist to create and perform music to give back to the world in the form of charity, benefit concerts and help reduce poverty.

The 3 CDs I would bring to a desert island are The Beatles Red Album, The Beatles White Album and The Beatles Abbey Road.

“My name is Asuka Uchida. I am a classical, crossover, and contemporary singer. I have sung many lyrical colatura operatic roles at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic as well as international festivals. 

I remember all technical aspects and their professionalism from all the teachers that I have studied. 

Adjusting to each student’s specific needs and pointing out what they need to work on for immediate and long term goals is my philosophy of teaching.

One of my biggest achievements is paralleling opera and contemporary singing. Some people think it’s not possible but it’s workable and much more fun to do both. 

I have so many favourties… Leontyne Price, Alfa Mist, Emmavie, Amber Mark, Earth Gang, Dame Kiri te Kanawa , Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, August Green, Moon Child, Lion Babe, Ja Rule and Tyler the creator and many more!

I have always wanted to create jobs in underdeveloped countries so that they can be self sufficient. Unfortunately I still don’t have a solid idea. If I can be a part of it, it would be ideal. Please let me know if you have any ideas!

I would bring the Epoch by Alfa Mist, Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, Tristan and Isolde by Richard Wagner to a desert island.”

“Hi everyone! It’s a pleasure to present to myself in this new Music and Stars Awards’ Magazine! I’m Iván Villar Sanz, a Spanish clarinet player and I was part of the jury of their online competition.

I started my musical studies at 8 with Mr. Mefre, my very first teacher who
nowadays has become like one of my family member. I obtained the Bachelor of Music Degree of Clarinet in 2015 at CSM “Manuel Castillo” in Seville, with Mr. Trigos. I remember these were so hard years, he was very exigent with his students and I’m sure that my current style of playing is due to his mode of teaching.
In 2018 I got the Master Degree of Clarinet at ISSM “Vecchi-Tonelli” in Modena (Italy) under the guide of Mr. Giuffredi and Mr. Meloni. It was a really beautiful time for me because I had the opportunity of studying with two of the most important Italian clarinetists, and I got to learn a new language (I love learning new languages and cultures!).

My philosophy of teaching has been formed with the different philosophies of all my former teachers. I have tried to get the best thing of each one to be a better musician and a good music teacher. I think the most important thing when you teach music is give good human values which allow the students to be a better person. If they get good musical capacities as well, much better!!!

Some of the most important achievements in my career are getting to play in different orchestras and being winner of the 2nd prize of Clarinet Celebration 2019 Youth Competition in Portland (EEUU). It was really a great experience. I also have to thank my instrument which has allowed me to travel a lot in the last years: United States, Canada, Belgium, China, Tunisia, Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Poland, etc.
In addition, I’m part of the Backun and Légère family since some years ago. It’s a privilege for me some of the biggest brands in the clarinet field trust in myself as artist.

I love listening different music styles such as latin, jazz, flamenco, classical… I could give you some names like Camarón de la Isla, Paquito D’Rivera, Juan Luis Guerra, Karajan, and much others. In the clarinet field, I have to say that I love the fantastic playing of all of my clarinet former teachers, of course! I consider myself a lucky person because I
can listen to their live performances very often.

Lastly, if I were to go to a desert island I would bring this 3 CDs with me: La
Leyenda del Tiempo by Camarón de la Isla, Brahms 1-4 Symphonies by Karajan and Danzón (Dance on) by Arturo Sandoval.
Anyway, I would prefer to bring with me a MP3 player device because you can put a lot of different music in!
Without further ado, I hope all of you are safe and sound, and I can not wait to perform for an audience soon again.”

Maestro dr.univ.PhD Szabolcs Sandor is a pianist, opera-coach and conductor.

He worked at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest and in Biel
(Switzerland), in Beijing, in Mexico.

He is a docent on the faculty of singing at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. His professor Maestro Donato Renzetti influenced him mostly during his academic years spent in Italy.

His favourite performers are Swiatoslav Richter, Donato Renzetti and Zubin Mehta.

As a rotarian he permanently takes part in the
international and domestic humanitarian projects of
the Rotary Clubs.

Yunice Tham Mei Shen is an Artistic Director in DE MUSIC BOX since 2005. She is a Professional Piano, Vocal, and Music Of Theory Educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Yunice holds the Degree Of BACHELOR OF ARTS From UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA at Newcastle. Yunice certify Piano and Theory Examination in The Associated Board of the Royal Schools Of Music London, she also Certify Vocal Examination in Music Performance In Trinity College London, and Certify Theory Of Music Examination Distinction in London College Of Music Examinations in Thames Valley University. Yunice has music study in The University Of Melbourne in year 2009, and also a short music study in Osaka College Of Music Japan (2013). In 2017, Yunice was awarded the Honorary Teacher in the 5th Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival. She also Certify Of Honorary Teacher In Southeast Asia ( Sea ), 2020.

In year 2019, Yunice was invited by Malaysia Junior Got Talent as a Professional Jury Member. And, in year 2020 she received an invitation for The Professional International Jury in Music And Stars Awards. Yunice also awarded The Certificate Of Recognition for the contribution to the excellence in music pedagogy and for enlightening and encouraging young artist’s paths. Over the past 20 years she has trained many students for the Associated Board Of The Royal Schools Of Music Exams (London), Trinity College London Exam, and Con Brio Examinations (Australia). Her students have consistently received outstanding results and have received numerous awards in various Piano and Vocal’s Competition.

Yunice believes that music is the language of the spirit which is able to expresses feeling and thought, and once music is admitted to the soul, it becomes a sort of spirit.
As a professional educator, she strives to be kind, patient, creative, imaginative, fun loving and is committed to having each student excel in their best possible way, whether for an exam, recital or for personal knowledge and enjoyment.

Giuseppe Devastato born in Naples, is a pianist and composer recognised by international critics as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation, has worked in the most important theaters in Europe America and Asia. Giuseppe Devastato is an official KrausePiano Artist. “A real artist, a musical actor, his sound is so emotionally and true. Giuseppe speak with the instrument and through the instrument, this is what I heard listening to his Rachmaninov”. Alexey Bogorad- Conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre

I had the opportunity to study with great professors, but personally the pianists who stimulated and opened my mind during my training were Horowitz, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and Emil Giles. Listening I understood many things about sound, movement and shape control. I come from the Neapolitan school of Thalberg which taught me a lot and then I developed my methodology.

My teaching philosophy is based on putting Professor and student on the same level. Create a common synergy, mutual trust and then develop at the same time the motor (technical), musical part and give ideas to enable the pianist to feel free to create his own ideas. Sharing and not teaching because I believe that common sharing is much more productive than presenting oneself as a teacher who wants to impose himself. Personally I believe that in music the absolute truth does not hesitate.

My most important achievement in my career is surely the 2011 Carthage Prize, a Nobel Prize for Music given to me to represent the Neapolitan School in the world as an Italian and for human merits. Then in 2015 the gold medal at the Global Music Awards as best performer, for the composition Toccata and for my record “The Pianist Composer”. In 2020 I received the honor of being KrasePiano Artist all over the world by the historic piano house that loved and played by A. Rubinstein

My favourite performers are V. Horowitz, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Emil Gilels, M. Pletnev, Sergio Fiorentino, Aldo Ciccolini.

If I would have to choose a humanitarian project to sustain, I would choose all because I believe it is important to help people who are less fortunate.

I would bring Sergio Fiorentino Collections, Horowitz in Moscow, Rachmaninov play Rachmaninov to a deserted island.”

Maestra Milena Injac, DMA is internationally recognized conductor. Studied in Belgrade, Vienna and Stockholm. Laureate of Euroorchestra –Russia and FIOJ-Spain Festivals, specialized for symphonic and choir music, as well as opera performances. First prize in 5 th Music World Fivizzano Competition. Music director, Chief Conductor and Principal Guest Conductor of several orchestras in Serbia, Spain, Latin America and Europe. Full time professor at University of Nis, Faculty of Arts. Member of teaching stuff at Academia Diesis master classes in Spain. Coordinator for Balkans of Women Conducting Symposium, Uruguay.

“Professors who most influenced me are Jorma Panula, Darinka Matic-Marovic, Angel Surev, Salvador Mas Conde, because of help and knowledge they shared and positive attitude to my career.

My philosophy of teaching is that in art of classical music we need to be guided till some point when we have to take our own road and create our authentic art.

My greatest achievements are my international career and awards, as well as invitations for closing ceremonies concerts and world premieres around the Europe and Latin America.

My favourite performers are Marta Argerich, Isaac Stern, Ricardo Muti and Leonard Bernstein.

If I had to choose a humanitarian project to sustain, it would be El sistema for all children in the world.

I would bring these 3 CDs to a deserted island:
Ricardo Muti C.Frank Symphony EMI, Bernstein la Valse and Ravel compositions SONY, Isaac Stern – E.Ormandy Tchaikovsky, Mendelsohn concert.”

Paweł Radziński was born in Gniezno. He started learning to play the violin when he was seven, getting first lessons from his father. After finishing primary school, he continued education at the M. Karłowicz High School of Music in Poznań. After high school graduation, he started studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory as a grant holder of the Minister of Culture and Art, at the Prof. D. Oistrakh Chair, in the class of the outstanding virtuoso V. Pikaizen. He graduated with honors. After college, he was polishing his skills attending courses at such violin masters as H. von Hausegger, R. Ricci, and H. Szeryng. Since that time, he has been involved in a prolific concert activity, in the country and abroad. He was giving concerts in Canada, Yugoslavia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and the former Soviet
Republics. He has done numerous recordings for radio and television. Paweł Radziński has participated in many music competitions and festivals, in the country ( Lublin, Wrocław ) and abroad (Montreal, Belgrade, Paris), winning awards and commendations. In 1979, he started working at the
Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. In 1998, the President of the Republic of Poland granted him the title of professor of musical arts. As full professor, he run the Department of Chamber Music at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz.
In 1991, he started teaching the violin at the Swedish Conservatory in Jakobstad. He was also giving lectures at the Faculty of Music in the University of Vaasa (Finland).
Starting from 2009, Paweł Radziński has been teaching at the Talent Class of the Artur Rubinstein State Complex of Music Schools in Bydgoszcz. Since 2016 he leads his violin class at the Zenon Brzewski Secondary General Music School in Warsaw.
He has educated many winners of national and foreign competitions as well as over 70 diploma holders. In 1989, he established the “Academia” Chamber Orchestra, with which he was touring abroad (Germany, Spain, and Italy). Later, the orchestra transitioned into the international
ensemble “Academia Baltica,” comprising music students from European countries (such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, and Poland). The orchestra has given concerts in many countries of Europe (its current name is Accademia dell’ Arco). He has cooperated as a guest performer with the orchestra “Sinfonietta de Paris,”
participating in its regular concert tours across France. Paweł Radziński promotes contemporary music with great passion. Some of the most spectacular achievements of the artist include world premieres and recordings of music pieces by H. Kerrko “Sacral View” (Oulu 1999) and P. Challin’s Violin Concert (Paris 2000). He has been conducting regular master’s classes in many countries (such as Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Israel). In Poland, he has been invited to conduct master’s classes in Żagań, Bałoszyce and Łańcut.
He has cooperated with such famous violin virtuosos like V. Pikaizen, P. Vernikov and I. Gitlis.
He has participated as a juror in a myriad of violin competitions, in Poland and abroad. He was invited twice by the Johannes Brahms Society, where in the museum dedicated to the composer in Baden-Baden he performed a comparative analysis regarding violin performance traditions in J.
Brahms’ work. In 2004, inspired by Paolo del Bianco of Florence and with the support of the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, he started research on the violin works of P. Nardini and his influence on development of the Italian violin school. In 2002, he initiated the foundation and took over the artistic management of the summer festival “Music in the Moonlight” in a palace and park estate of Lubostroń.
He is a laureate of the L. Kronenberg Foundation (1999). In the same year, he was awarded with the Medal of the Commission of National Education. Paweł Radziński was honored by the President of the Republic of Poland with the Silver and Gold Cross of Meritum and “Gloria Artis” (2014) .